Feds Take Over Drug Case After Big Bust In Lenawee
ROME TOWNSHIP (WWJ/AP) - Federal authorities have filed charges and taken over the case of thousands of marijuana plants discovered in Lenawee County.
The government said more than 8,000 plants worth millions were found last week in Rome Township, 65 miles southwest of Detroit.
Edwin and Linda Schmieding were charged in federal court Monday with conspiracy and growing more than 1,000 marijuana plants.
Police said a tip from an anonymous caller led to their investigation of the property.
In all, police confiscated 8,259 marijuana plants, 56 bags of marijuana processed for sale and about 100 bags of marijuana seeds marked with dates as early as 2006.
Agent Lloyd Hopkins said Linda Schmieding told police they were paid $500 a week for marijuana and some pot was sold as medical marijuana.
The Schmiedings likely will appear this week in federal court in Detroit. They've been in the Lenawee County jail since June 6.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
